Log-loading device for motor vehicles



Nov. 27, 1951 M, M, MCBRIDE .ETAL 2,576,187

LOG-LOADING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES m Filed June 1e, 195o 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 NVENTORJl MILES M. M cBp/OE. LEONARD L.. MFBe/al, BY SAMUEL o. cdkey,

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NOV 27, 1951 M. M. MCBRIDE ETAL LOG-LOADING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed June 16, 1950 QM. MM

#1958105, oNARD L. MFH/210s, SAMUEL D. 609951 INVENTORJ. M.

5k ww uw Patented Nov. 27, 1951 LOG-LOADING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Miles M. McBride and Leonard L. McBride, Kinderhook, and Samuel D. Curry, Oakwood, Ill.

Application J une 16, 1950, Serial No. 168,566

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to log-loading devices for motor vehicles, and more particularly to log-loading means adapted to be driven by the engine of the vehicle.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a vehicle or truck-mounted, log-loading device, wherein the various parts of the device are arranged in a convenient and highly compact manner, so that the entire bed or platform of the truck may be utilized for supporting the logs.

A further object is to provide a log-loading device of the above-mentioned character, wherein operating levers are arranged to swing horizontally below the truck bed and adjacent to one side of thetruck bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a log-loading device, wherein the logs are rolled up the skids which lead to the bed of the truck.

A further object is to provide a log-loading device which will enable a maximum number of logs to be loaded onto the truck in a safe and efficient manner.

A further object is to provide a novel, adjustable sheave or pulley which is readily removable, so that it may be mounted upon either side of the truck bed, the sheave being freely adjustable longitudinally of the truck bed so that it may be arranged near the longitudinal centers of logs of different lengths.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a log-loading device of the above-mentioned character including a novel winch or drum-operating transmission which is driven from the power take-off shaft of the truck engine and which provides several speeds forward and in reverse for driving the winch or drum in either direction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a motor truck equipped with the log-loading device embodying our invention, parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the truck and device illustrated in Figure 1, parts in section;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, transverse, Vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, where, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the numeral I@ designates generally the main or chassis frame of a truck, and this main frame I6 comprises the usual elongated, horizontal, transversely spaced rails or beams II. Mounted in a conventional manner-between the beams I I near their forward ends is the truck engine including a conventional transmission I2 having the usual gearshift lever I3 which is disposed in the cab of the truck, not shown. The usual drive shaft I4 transmits power from the engine transmission I2 to `the rear wheels I5 of the truck. The drive shaft I4 is somewhat inclined, as shown, and is disposed slightly below the beams II of the main frame, Figure 2. The truck further includes a wide, at platform or bed I5, which is horizontal and arranged at an elevation somewhat above the main frame IIJ. The bed I6 is suitably rigidly mounted upon a plurality of transverse beams or joists I'I, in turn suitably rigidly secured to the tops of the beams I I. As shown clearly in Figures 1 and 3, the bed I6 and joists I'I extend laterally outwardly of the main frame I upon both sides of the same. The opposite longitudinal side edges of the bed I6 are substantially ush with the outer sides oi' the rear wheels I5, Figure 1. The arrangement is such that a relatively low horizontal space or passage is formed between the tops of the beams II and the bed I6.

Rigidly mounted upon one side of the truck engine transmission I2, and projecting laterally outwardly from such side and terminating near and slightly inwardly of the adjacent beam II, is a power take-off mechanism I6 of the type illustrated in a printed publication of the Ford Motor Company, entitled 1942 Ford Trucks, on page 20. This power take-off mechanism includes the usual stub shaft I9, the operation of which is controlled by a reciprocatory member or plunger 20, both the shaft I9 and plunger 20 beingv arranged substantially parallel and extending longitudinally of the beams II. The power take-olf stub shaft I9 is spaced laterally of the drive shaft I4, Figure l, the drive shaft I4 being disposed at th transverse center of the truck. 'i

Rearwardly longitudinally of the transmission I2, and near the longitudinal center of the main frame I0, are a pair of transverse, horizontal, laterally spaced support beams or braces 21| and 22 having their opposite ends suitably rigidly secured to the beams I I. An elongated, longitudinal shaft 23 has its forward end connected with the stub shaft I9 by means of a suitable coupling member 24, and the rear end of the shaft 23 terminates 3 adjacent to the member 2l, Figure 1. The shaft 23 is horizontal, and spaced laterally inwardly of the adjacent beam l I, and slightly below the beams or members 2l and 22. The shaft 23 is journaled near its rear end in suitable, self-aligning bearings 25 and 26 rigidly secured to the bottoms of the members 2l and 22, Figure 2. VRigidly mounted upon the rotatable shaft 23 between the members 2 I and 22 for rotation therewith is a first relatively small sprocket wheel 2l connected by means of a transversely extending sprocket chain 2B with a second relatively large sprocket wheel 29",'

in turn rigidly mounted upon a horizontal, longitudinal, rotatable shaft Se, of a gear box or transmission 3 I.

The shaft 3@ is disposed at the transverse center of the truck, and arranged at an elevation slightly above that of the shaft 23, Figure 2. The shaft 3G is journaled near its forward end within a pair of self-aligningbearings 32 and V33 rigidly mounted upon the ,topslof the beams 2l and 22 at their loney gitudinal centers. Thetransmission o r gear box 3l has aforward'vertical flange 3e which is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to an upstanding `verf ticalwplate 35, inturn welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the beam 2l and extending transversely between the beams I i, as shown. s Y As Vclearlyshown in Figure 2, the entire trans mission 3j, as Wellas both' of the sprocket wheels 2l 4and 29 and associated elements, are arranged betweenthe beams II of the main frame it and beneath the platform or bed It of the truck. y

Thehorizontal transmission shaft 3d extends longitudinally rearwardly of the transmission or gear box 3 I, and has mounted thereon for rotation therewith, rearwardly of the gear box, a suitable disc or braking wheel 36 having a relatively large diameter. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, an external brake band including a pair of hingedly connected sections 3l is provided, and the hingedly connected ends of the brake band sections il are connected with a horizontal, longitudinally rearwardly extending support arm 38 rigidly secured to the rear end of the gear box or transmission 3 I. The free ends of the brake band sections 3'I are bent to provide radial extensions 39 andv il@ which are apertured for receiving a vertically disposed pin or bolt 'il having a top head'dlZ, and'carrying a nut 43 at its lower end. A strong, expansible coil spring is surrounds the pin M between the radial extensions 39 and ill?, and this spring serves to bias the extensions apart so that the'brake band sections 3l are normally held' out of frictional engagement with the braking wheel 36, Figure 4. A substantially horizontal, rear-Y wardly longitudinally extending arm or bracket l5 is rigidly secured to the rear end of the transmission 3l at its side remote from the arm 38,1Fig-Y urge the brake band sections 3l together into fric- Y tional engagement with the wheel 3S.An Iup standing, vertically swingable armor lever i8l lis secured tothe cam shaft i5 for rotation therewith between the arm l5 and outermost cam lll, Figure 4, and pivotally connected with the topwof this lever `48 is a horizontally swingable, short connecting rod e9 disposed slightly above the top of the transmission 3l, Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the connecting rod Alil extends diagonally of the 4 s main frame I0, and is pivotally connected at its forward end, as at 50, with the innermost end of an elongated, horizontally swingable, transverse brake lever 5I pivotally mounted near and outwardly of its innermost end, as at 52, upon a xed arcuate locking segment 53, in turn suitably rigidly mountedrupon the top of the transmission 3l and at the side of the transmission remote from the arm 33, Figure 1. The brake lever 5I is equipped with the usual hand operated pawl mechanism for locking the lever 5I in the selected adjusted' angular positions with'respect to the horizontal arcuate sector V53. As shown clearly in the drawings, the `brake lever 5I extends transversely outwardly of the main frame I il upon one side of the same, and is disposed beneath the platform or bed It; shown dotted in Figure l, and above the beams I I. The outer end or handle of the brake lever 5I is disposed substantially iiush withgthe adjacent, outer longitudinal edge of the bed I6.

The gear' bei; er transmission' is pfeferabiy of a conventional tyil; such as i935 model Dodge truck transmission The gear transmission 3| has two speeds forward and two in reverse, the lower forward and reverse speedsl beingl equal rate, as are the higher forward and re'- ve e Tiflis arrangement makes it pss'ilole to load and unload logs with the' saine speed and from either side of the truck, as will be more vfully explained hereinafter. The transmission 3l is equipped `witha suitable gearshift lever 54, and this leverv extends laterally outwardly of the transmission 3i and is arranged horizontally and at a slightly lower elevation than the brake lever 5L so that the two levers `rnayfoperate without interference. Like the lever 5l, the Vgea'rs'hift leverI te is arranged beneath thebed it and above the beams Vi Inand the gearshift lei/ered has its outerend or handle arranged near the adjacent longitudinal side edge of the bed I6, as shownyin Figure 1.47, The gearsnift levarsi, when in the neutral position, Fig-ureV l, extends substantially perpendicular to the beams il, as shown.

lylear and forwardly of the gears'hift lever 54, a transverse, horizontal power take-off control lever 55 is pivotally mounted, as at upon the top of the adjacent beam Il. `This lever 55 likewise hasits outer end disposed adjacent to the longitudinal side edge of the truck bed I8, and .the lever 55 is disposed at a slightly different elevation from either of the levers 5I `or 54, so that ne three levers may be eperated without interferencefroin the adjacentsideof the truck. TheY power take-oli control lever 5B extends laterally inwardly a short distance from the adjacent beam Il, and over the member 2l, Figure 1, and the'inner end of* the lever 5 5 is pivctally connested' as at si with a generally horizentai, diagonally extending link or centrolfro'd 52 having rtsi-amara end pivotaiiy Cormectsawith tne'reoiprocatory plunger as at 59. YThe arrangement is such that the horizontal swinging of the leverl 55 about `its pivot 58 will reciprocate the plungerv 2e for connecting and disconnecting the power takeoff mechanism lli. VYIt is thus seen that theta-lee control leversk si, sa and es ofthe devise are all disposed horizontally and beneath Ythe truck bed le adjacent to one side of the rangement is highly simplified and compactl and none-of the space above the bed I6 and rearwardly of the drivers cab is occupied by any part of the device.

An auxiliary clutch pedal or lever 56' arranged near and forwardly of the lever 55 and below the adjacent beam I I, and transversely of such` beam, Figures 1 and 5. The inner end of this pedal or lever 56 is pivotally connected, as at 5I' with the bottom of a depending mounting bracket 52 which is rigidly secured to the bottom of the adjacent beam II and projecting laterally inwardly thereof, Figure 5. A retractile coil spring 53 has its top end secured to the beam I I and its bottom end secured to the pedal or lever 56 laterally outwardly of the adjacent beam II, and this spring serves to maintain the lever 5U elevated. A horizontal mounting bracket 54 is rigidly secured to the top of the adjacent beam II, slightly forwardly of the mounting bracket 52', Figure 2, and this mounting bracket 54 has a rotatable guide pulley 55' mounted thereon with its axis of rotation extending transversely of the beam I I. A suitable longitudinally extending break cable t6 is trained over pulley 55 and has one end connected with the pedal or lever 56 below and laterally outwardly of its pivot 5I', as shown at 51. The cable 56 extends longitudinally forwardly adjacent to the beam II and is connected with the foot operated clutch pedal in the cab of the truck, not shown. The arrangement is such that when the lever or pedal 56 is depressed or swung downwardly, Figure 5, that the clutch pedal in the cab of the truck is also depressed for releasing the clutch of the truck transmission l2. The auxiliary lever 56 is swung downwardly for releasing the clutch of the truck engine prior to swinging the control lever 55, for rendering the power take-off i8 operative and inoperative.

Near and longitudinally rearwardly of the transmission 3 I, a transverse bar or support member 66 is arranged horizontally, and has its opposite ends rigidly secured to the beams II. A similar transverse bar 6I is larranged near the rear end of the main frame I0, and likewise has its opposite ends rigidly secured to the beams II. Self-aligning bearings 62 and 63 are rigidly mounted upon the bars 60 and 6I and arranged at the transverse center of the truck frame I6. Journaled within these bearings 62 and 63 is a horizontal, longitudinal drum or spool shaft 64 connected at its forward end through a universal joint 65 with the rear end of the shaft 30. As shown in Figure 2, the shaft 36 and 64 may be arranged at the same elevation. Rigidly secured to the shaft 64 for rotation therewith is an elongated, horizontal, longitudinal flanged winding drum 66, upon which is wound a long, sturdy cable 61. As shown in Figure 3, the free end of the cable 61 may be arranged to unwind from the top of the drum 66, and when so unwinding, the cable 6l' passes substantially horizontally beneath and close to the bed I6.

We provide a freely longitudinally adjustable sheave or pully 68 freely rotatably mounted, as at 69, upon a horizontal, substantially U-shaped mounting bracket 10, which engages slidably over the adjacent longitudinal side edge of the bed I6, Figure 3. The arrangement is such that the pulley or sheave 68 has its axis of rotation disposed at the elevation of the bed I6, and the bracket 10 is freely slidable longitudinally along the edge of the bed i6 upon which it is mounted. With this arrangement, the pulley or sheave 68 may be adjusted so that the free end of the cable 61V can be arranged substantially' at the longifA tudinal center of the log to be rolled onto the bed I6.

The free end vof the cable 61 is equipped withari attaching hook 1I which may be connected with the free end of a strong chain 12, the opposite` As shown in Figure 3, the chain 12 extends transversely of the bed I6, and across the entire width of the bed.

The usual inclined skids 13 are provided, and the upper ends of these skids are equipped with hooked extensions or bars 14 which engage over the adjacent side edge ofthe bed I6. It should be noted that the tops of the skids 13 are arranged substantially flush with the top of the bed I6, so that the large log L which is rolled up the skids will not drop upon the truck bed I6, which would be likely to cause damage.

The operation of our machine is as follows:

, The driver may stop the truck at the desired location and apply the emergency brakes of the truck so that it will remain stationary during the loading or unloading of the logs. The truck en-` gine is allowed to idle, and the truck gearshift lever I3 is placed in neutral. Whenever the power takeoff lever 55 is swung to the left, Figure 1, the plunger 26 will be shifted axially inwardly for connecting the power take-off shaft I9 with the truck` transmission I2. When this occurs, the shafts 23 and 36 will rotate. When the lever 55 is swung to the right or to its position shown in Figure l, the power takeoff shaft I9 will be discon nected from the truck transmission and stationary. During this time, the driver manipulates the lever 54 of the transmission 3| to select the speed, either forward or reverse, at which he wishes to load or unload the log I2. When the gearshift lever 54 has been arranged in the selected adjusted position, and the brake lever 5I has been swung to the right or to its position shown in Figure l, wherein the brake band sections 31 are free from engagement with the wheel 36, the lever 55 is swung to the left, Figure 1, for imparting rotation to the shafts 23 and 30, as previously explained. This will cause the drum shaft 64 to rotate in the desired direction for winding or unwinding the cable 61.

It should be understood that prior to swinging the power take-off lever 55 in either direction, while the truck engine is idling, the auxiliary clutch lever or pedal 50 should be depressed or swung downwardly for depressing the clutch pedal in the cab of the truck. This renders it possible to connect and disconnect the power take-off I8 without the clashing of gears. The auxiliary lever or pedal 50' is arranged near the lever 55, so that both may be manipulated simultaneously by the operator standing at the adjacent side of the truck.

Whenever it is desired to halt the movement of the log L during its loading or unloading, the power take-off control lever should be swung to the right or to its position illustrated in Figure 1 for stopping the rotation of the shafts 23 and 30. When this has been done, the brake lever 5I may be swung to the left, Figure 1, and this will shift the brake band sections 31 into tight, clamping engagement with the braking wheel 36. When this occurs, the drum 66 and its shaft will be positively held against rotation, and the strain due to the weight of the log L will be taken ofi' of the gear within the transmission 3I. The brake lever 5I provides a safety feature, whereby tiifcttiori "of" die winding drum se 'may te Y stopped quickly at any desired point. As previously stated, the three control levers l, 54 and 55- Inay be conveniently operated by the driver while helis standing substantially in onepcsition adja- Cen'tt one side of the truck.

VAS1-shown clearly in Figure 3, the logs L are actually rolled up the skid 'i3 and onto the bed I6. 'j The chain 'i2 is passed beneath the logs and Y- be disconnected from the hook 'il and passed about' theneiit log to be rolled onto the truck bed.

Such next log is rolled up the skids 13 `-in exactly the same manner' and across the truck bed I6 until it engagea` the first log'. In this manner,

thefentire width ci the bed It may be used tov accommodate additional logs, and still other logs may be loaded upon thosewhich rest upon the leedt IE". InE this rnannenas many as l5 or I6 large logsmay be'` loaded at ne time upon the bed.

It is obvious that the mounting bracket and sheave'r may be bodily' removed and mounted upon the' opposite lloiigitudin'al edge of the truck bed mso that logs' may be loaded and unloaded onto/andffroin'tlieopposite side of the truck. When' this is done, the vcable @il is wound up in the opposite direction upon the drum $6, so that the free end oi the cable will be payed out from the bottom side of the drum and unwound toward the opposite 'sideof the truck. The cable 61 is longer-rough 'so thatlog's may be dragged from unac'cs'sible areas to be loaded upon the truck.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the'sarne, and that various changes in shape', size and arrangenient ofV parts may be resortedto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope oi theV subjoied claims.

Having thus described `our invention, we claim:

l. A log=loading 'device' for a truck having a horizontal main frame and a horizontal bed spaced above the main frame 'and an engine including a power take-oit mechanism, said device comprising a'gear transmission disposed near the longitudinal center o'f the' truck mainframe and mounted upon the mainV frame and arranged below the b'ed, gearing connecting the gear transmission with the poiver take-oli mechanism cf the engine, a horizontally swingable lever pvotally mounted upon the truck 'and arranged be-` heath the bedrof the truck, a control rodV con-V n'cted with the' lever 'and'with the power take-'off mechanism for rendering such mechanism opera-fV tive and inoperative, said gear transmission including a horizontal transverse gearshift lever arranged near said horizontally swingable lever andb'eneath the ted of the truck, a horizontal lcngitudinally"extending `winding drum rotatably mounted 'up-cn' the main :trame rearwarmy or the g'e'a'r transmission and connected with the gear transmission ito be dri-ven thereby, a brake deviceV secured to the "gear transmission and connected with the Yiifinding drum for controlling the rota- 1in othe fdrum, and a horizontal transverse brake lever mounted upon the' gear: transmission and connected with the brake device for actuating the same, the brake lever being arranged near said gearsh'i'fty and horizontally swinga-ble levers, all oi said levers projecting laterally upon one side of the truck and beneath the truck bed,v ay cable wound upon the winding'drurn so that it may be payed out transversely of the bed, and a longitudinally disposed sheave slidably mounted upon one longitudinal side edge of the bed and adapted tohave the free end of the cable passed thereabout;

2. A log-loading device for a truck havingV a substantially horizontal main frame, a bed spaced above the main frame and an engine including a power take'foi mechanism, the device comprising ar horizontally swingable power take-'01T controll leverV pivotally secured to the main frame andI projecting laterally beyond one side of the main frame' and havingits outerv end disposed near one" side edge 'of the bed, the control lever being disposed beneath the' bed, means Ycomiecting the inner end of the control lever and power take-'oir mechanism for rendering' the mechanism oper-H ative and incp'erative when the controi lever is swung in opposite directions, a gear transvmission mounted upon the mainframe and spaced 'longitudinally rearwardly' of the engine and in 1 a horizontally s'wingalolev gearshift Vlever nge'd beneath the bed and 'extending laterally ,ond that side of the nain frame adjacent to t e control lever and having its outer 'end terminating near the adjacent longitudinal side edge of the bed, gearing permanently connecting the transmission and power 4take-'off mechanism so that when such mechanism is operating the transmission vviil be operated, a friction brake 'mounted upon the transmission for controlling its oper-' ation, a horizontally swingable brake lever piv otally mounted 'upon the transmission and ccnn'ecte'd with 'the brake 'for actuating it, the brake lever extending Ytransversel'y beyondV that 'side of the1 main 'traine adjacent to the control and gearshift levers, the brake lever being disposed beneaththe vbedarld having itsv outer end arranged near the adjacent longitudinal side edge of the bed, avvin'ding druih jcurn'aled upon the main frame longitudinally rearwardly of the trans` mission and connected with the transmission to. be driven thereby, a cable wound upon the dr'urnV so'tha't it may be'payed cut transversely of 'the main frrame and bed, the drum being arranged beneath the bed, and a longitudinally adjustable sheave slidably mounted upon one longitudinal side edge of 'the bed and adapted to have the free end ci lthe cable 4passed thereabout.

MILES M. MCBRDE. LEGNARD L. MCBRIDE. i SAMUEL D. CURRY.

REFERENCES vCITED rThe 'following references are of record in the i'ile of this patent:

UNITED ,STATES PATENTS 

